Bus, Pharmacy, Restaurant: 3 Fights In Montclair Draw Police To Scene

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Tempers recently flared during three "physical disputes" aboard a bus, at a pharmacy and in a local restaurant, Montclair police say.

The Montclair Police Department released the following details about the arguments – all of which took place within a four-day span:

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Aug. 12 (Bloomfield Avenue) – "Two females riding on a NJ Transit bus became involved in a verbal dispute over the use of headphones. The argument eventually became physical on the bus in the area of Bloomfield Avenue and Lackawanna Plaza, where the bus driver stopped and flagged down an officer. Both females were removed from the bus. Each female refused medical attention. One party eventually returned to the bus, and the second party was transported to her apartment."

Aug. 13 (Valley Road) – "At approximately 3:38 p.m., officers responded to the CVS pharmacy at 565 Valley Road on a report of a physical dispute between a customer and an employee. The victim, a 29-year-old employee, reported that an individual who had previously been trespassed from the store was observed by employees entering CVS. The employee confronted the male and told him to leave. The suspect became irate and began attacking the employee and throwing store merchandise throughout the aisles before fleeing the scene. The store employee sustained injuries to his face including bruising, a small laceration to his left eye and nose, and swollen lip. He was treated by Montclair EMS and transported to Mountainside Hospital. A customer of CVS was also treated by EMS after being struck in the head with a shampoo bottle. She refused further medical attention. No items were reported stolen. A 25-year-old male from Newark was charged with two counts of assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass."

Aug. 15 (Grove Street) – "At approximately 7:53 p.m., officers responded to 111 Grove Street (Boschetto) on a report of a physical dispute. Responding officers located a group of individuals being separated. The preliminary on scene investigation revealed that a customer was displeased with his meal and entered the restaurant to demand a refund. A worker at the restaurant provided the customer with a refund, however the customer was still not satisfied and began causing a disturbance inside of the establishment. Staff requested that the customer leave the restaurant. While outside in the parking lot, a physical altercation took place among the customer and employee and was broken up by other staff members before police arrival. There were no injuries reported."

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